MEN FOR SECOND ECHELON

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22909, 4 January 1940, Page 8

MEN FOR SECOND ECHELON

URGENT APPEAL BY GOVERNMENT "SERVICE BEST TRIBUTE TO DEPARTING TROOPS" A special appeal for recruits for units designed to follow the Ist Echelon overseas was made by Mr W. R. Lascelles, one of the speakers at the farewell function in Cranmer square yesterday. He said that the new Expeditionary Force would enhance the name of Anzac, but he emohasised that men were needed lor furtner detachments. Mr Lascelles recalled some of the great feats and triumphs of the Empire and New Zealand troops in the last war—the battles of the Somme, Messines. of Gallipoli, and the battles during desert warfare, such as Sinai. "In the same spirit the new men face this new conflict," he said. "They are untried in battle, but it is said by those most competent to judge that they are worthy to become the successors of the Ist New Zealand Expeditionary Force." j "As everyone must realise, in these! men we have the pioneer nucleus of a magnificent fighting force," Mr Lascelles said. "It is comforting to reflect, j too, that these men are going to sail] under such a happy augury: first, they are crusaders in a great cause; second, they are the inheritors of a great tradition, and third, they are led by a humane, courageous, and distinguished commander. "But this occasion is also a reminder. The Government has addressed to us ah appeal for 10,000 enlistments, towenter camp by January 12. The decision as to our duty in war time is a matter for the individual, but I would like to emphasise the urgency of the appeal. With a Special Force going away, we must now have more men under training. It is no use .for us, who, at the moment are not going away, to shrug our shoulders, to say it is a funny war, and to do nothing ourselves. Apathy is the accomplice of defeat. Germany's conquest of Poland was a great military achievement. We are facing a powerful foe. We must not underestimate the power of the enemy. We might be facing a long struggle against a couple of international burglars whose motto is 'robbery under arms.' Every individual is now faced with the duty of making a prompt decision as to his or her war effort. The finest tribute we can pay to these men now going away is to dedicate ourselves to some service in the cause for which they are prepared to give their all."

MAJOR-GENERAL FREYBERG

RETURNED SOLDIERS' WELCOME WELLINGTON MEETING WELLINGTON, January 3. Wellington returned soldiers accorded Major-General B. C. Freyberg V.C., a tumultuous welcome, at a meeting in the Town Hall Concert Chamber this evening. They cheered him as he rose to speak, and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Afterwards he shook hands with the men who had served in the divisions with which he had been associated in the last war. Lieutenant-Colonel A. Cowles, president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, expressed the pleasure felt by former soldiers that General Freyberg had been appointed to command the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He would be an inspiration to. the younger men, he said. The Hon. W. Perry, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, said he was glad to see such a big crowd. He knew they would wish General Freyberg the greatest possible success. "As I said yesterday, if I don't appear moved by this reception to-night, it belies the feelings that are inside me," said General Freyberg. "Since arriving in New Zealand, what with the kindness shown to me and my work I have deserted all my old friends; but you must remember that if I have not been able to come to see you, it is not because I did not want to." Referring to his inspections of the troops in camp, at Burnham, Trentham, Ngaruawahia, and Papakura, General Freyberg said: "I think, from my experience, that my eye is pretty good, and I can tell you I have been greatly impressed by the stamp of man; by his demeanour on parade, by his toughness, and I'm perfectly certain that it will not be for want of trying or want of grit if they do not live up to the great traditions set them. We feel the responsibility, and I know it, and I'm glad of it, because it sets us a standard that we must live up to. If we do that, it will reflect the greatest credit on the Expeditionary Force and on our country."